Wow how things have changed.

[Jnjtrio]

We have made about 8 trips in the last 5 years. Our trip last November is currently considered our last, unless we see a value change for the amount of money we would spend. At the end of a disney day we want to think of the magical moments we shared. The end of every day this last trip was about what did not work, wish we did not pay for genie+ this day, not being able to get dining reservations. The best thing we got on this last trip was capture the moment, I feel sorry for anyone staying offsite as it will be very hard to book.

 

[havoc315]

I feel sorry for anyone staying offsite as it will be very hard to book.

Actually, all the recent changes really benefit the off-site guest.
On-site guests no longer get DME -- That doesn't affect off-site guests.
Previously, only on-site guests could get FPs for many e-ticket attractions -- As they had to be booked 60 days in advance, which was on-site only.

The only disadvantage of off-site -- Rise of the Resistance may book up before 9am, which is when off-site can book. Other than that 1 ride, off-site guests can book everything without any real disadvantage. An off-site guest has the same chance to get a G+ for Slinky Dog as an on-site guest.
Given the cost-savings of off-site -- an off-site guest buying Genie+/LL can save tremendous amount of money AND get a superior guest experience over an on-site guest who doesn't purchase G+.

That's the irony, and it works to Disney's disadvantage -- Genie+ allows a guest to SAVE money, as they can stay off-site without any significant disadvantage, beyond possibly not being able to book ROTR.

 

[Jnjtrio]

Actually, all the recent changes really benefit the off-site guest.
On-site guests no longer get DME -- That doesn't affect off-site guests.
Previously, only on-site guests could get FPs for many e-ticket attractions -- As they had to be booked 60 days in advance, which was on-site only.

The only disadvantage of off-site -- Rise of the Resistance may book up before 9am, which is when off-site can book. Other than that 1 ride, off-site guests can book everything without any real disadvantage. An off-site guest has the same chance to get a G+ for Slinky Dog as an on-site guest.
Given the cost-savings of off-site -- an off-site guest buying Genie+/LL can save tremendous amount of money AND get a superior guest experience over an on-site guest who doesn't purchase G+.

That's the irony, and it works to Disney's disadvantage -- Genie+ allows a guest to SAVE money, as they can stay off-site without any significant disadvantage, beyond possibly not being able to book ROTR.

My comment was strictly about "capture the moment" if you had captured the entire sentence.

The best thing we got on this last trip was capture the moment, I feel sorry for anyone staying offsite as it will be very hard to book.

 

[lynch34]

Actually, all the recent changes really benefit the off-site guest.
On-site guests no longer get DME -- That doesn't affect off-site guests.
Previously, only on-site guests could get FPs for many e-ticket attractions -- As they had to be booked 60 days in advance, which was on-site only.

The only disadvantage of off-site -- Rise of the Resistance may book up before 9am, which is when off-site can book. Other than that 1 ride, off-site guests can book everything without any real disadvantage. An off-site guest has the same chance to get a G+ for Slinky Dog as an on-site guest.
Given the cost-savings of off-site -- an off-site guest buying Genie+/LL can save tremendous amount of money AND get a superior guest experience over an on-site guest who doesn't purchase G+.

That's the irony, and it works to Disney's disadvantage -- Genie+ allows a guest to SAVE money, as they can stay off-site without any significant disadvantage, beyond possibly not being able to book ROTR.

Exactly this. I got a massive house on Airbnb with a water park 10 mins away for $1,700 for a week for my family of 5. I can justify spending more on some of the other stuff (LL, Genie+) and still end up financially WAY ahead of staying onsite.

It's going to eventually shift back. The economy is amazing right now. Those resorts are huge and Disney can't afford to have them empty. When the economy normalizes to tanks - it's going to be discount city. Disney knows this current model isn't sustainable but they are going to cash it on it while they can. They used to care about customer service. Now they really only care about every penny.

 

[havoc315]

My comment was strictly about "capture the moment" if you had captured the entire sentence.

I apologize for the misunderstanding. But why would “capture the magic” be difficult to book off-site? I’m mot aware of any on-site booking advantage.

 

[Jnjtrio]

I apologize for the misunderstanding. But why would “capture the magic” be difficult to book off-site? I’m mot aware of any on-site booking advantage.

Capture the moment can be booked 60 +10 just like dining and other certain extras if you are staying onsite.

 

[havoc315]

Capture the magic can be booked 60 +10 just like dining and other certain extras if you are staying onsite.

I’ve never had trouble getting any dining or specialty reservation in under 60 days. Just sometimes need to wait for a cancellation. Just today, got Space 220 for a reservation 40 days for now, lunch for 7 people at 1pm. Exactly what I wanted.

 

[k5xs]

This is all just... depressing. I'm starting to plan our June trip (which is SUPER late for me - I'm usually planning at least a year out) and we haven't been since 2019. Paying more & getting less as well as the Genie thing has me wishing we hadn't even told the kids we were going because I'm not looking forward to any part of this now. We've already decided to stay off property and out of the Disney bubble and now I'm stressing that DH isn't even going to be able to do the ONE THING that he wants out of this trip (ROTR).

If ROTR is truly a “must do,” then just pay for that ride. It’s galling, but a sure way to get on it.

We’ve gone twice in the past months, and the magic was for us still very much alive. Not fans of park reservations, no Magical Express, Genie+, and so much more, but being there is still very special.

 

[Jnjtrio]

I’ve never had trouble getting any dining or specialty reservation in under 60 days. Just sometimes need to wait for a cancellation. Just today, got Space 220 for a reservation 40 days for now, lunch for 7 people at 1pm. Exactly what I wanted.

Sorry it is capture the moment not magic (it just felt magical) and it is a special photo opportunity with a Disney photographer. Only available in MK and AK and has become a very desired extra, 20 min with photographer for $50 as many pictures as possible in that timeframe..max 8 people. If you get this at 60 or less it's a unicorn moment.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

If ROTR is truly a “must do,” then just pay for that ride. It’s galling, but a sure way to get on it.

We’ve gone twice in the past months, and the magic was for us still very much alive. Not fans of park reservations, no Magical Express, Genie+, and so much more, but being there is still very special.

I agree. I did exactly that about two weeks ago, as it was a busy time and getting up a little early and paying a small amount guaranteed myself and my brother the ability to see something neither of us had done before. By the time we were arriving for our reservation the standby wait was over 4 hours. This and the Genie+ I also paid for probably saved us about 6 or more hours of wait time. However we only did either of these that one day as the rides and experiences we wanted to do on other days and parks did not necessitate it.

Would I do this in a less crowded time of year - probably not. My takeaway from this last trip was that the combination of Genie+, ILL, and my past experience with WDW gave us the best of both worlds. I was able to tailor each day to accomplish the things we truly wanted to do and found most enjoyable. We spent a lot of quality time together, ate at some of the most desired and unique dining experiences at WDW, and in general had a very relaxed and pleasant time.

To all those who lament the "loss of the magic" , it's still there. I found every cast member I interacted with as pleasant and professional as I've had in the many years I've been fortunate to go there. Even the very few things that didn't work out as expected were blessings in disguise and they gave me the opportunity to reflect on so much that was good to exceptional that also occurred. Life is GOOD !

 

[havoc315]

Sorry it is capture the moment not magic (it just felt magical) and it is a special photo opportunity with a Disney photographer. Only available in MK and AK and has become a very desired extra, 20 min with photographer for $50 as many pictures as possible in that timeframe..max 8 people. If you get this at 60 or less it's a unicorn moment.

Yes, I’m aware of it. My friends had no trouble booking it one day in advance. Maybe they just got lucky.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes, I’m aware of it. My friends had no trouble booking it one day in advance. Maybe they just got lucky.

Wow!! This is great for them! Must have caught a last minute cancellation as these fill very quickly after becoming available. Hope your friends got some great shots!!

 

[Jnjtrio]

Yes, I’m aware of it. My friends had no trouble booking it one day in advance. Maybe they just got lucky.

Very happy for your friends, I hope they had a wonderful experience.

 

[NYEmomma]

If ROTR is truly a “must do,” then just pay for that ride. It’s galling, but a sure way to get on it.

We’ve gone twice in the past months, and the magic was for us still very much alive. Not fans of park reservations, no Magical Express, Genie+, and so much more, but being there is still very special.

Just talked to DH... I was wrong about what ride he HAD to do this trip. It's actually Smuggler's Run, which doesn't seem to be quite as popular??

 

[k5xs]

Just talked to DH... I was wrong about what ride he HAD to do this trip. It's actually Smuggler's Run, which doesn't seem to be quite as popular??

Wait times are good indicators of popularity (though far from perfect). Right now ROTR is 115 mins, and SR is 70, and that seems consistent.

We've done both multiple times, and though we aren't huge Star Wars fans, we enjoyed SR, but were BLOWN AWAY by ROTR.

Note that you can pay to get in the Lightning Lane for ROTR, but not for SR. For SR Lightning Lane access you will need to subscribe to Genie+ and shoot for a time under that system.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Just talked to DH... I was wrong about what ride he HAD to do this trip. It's actually Smuggler's Run, which doesn't seem to be quite as popular??

Although it doesn't have the same demand as ROTR, Smuggler's Run consists of entering the cockpit and flying the Millennium Falcon on a mission, so I can see why it would be a "must ride" for many big Star Wars fans.

 

[kathy884]

Actually, all the recent changes really benefit the off-site guest.
On-site guests no longer get DME -- That doesn't affect off-site guests.
Previously, only on-site guests could get FPs for many e-ticket attractions -- As they had to be booked 60 days in advance, which was on-site only.

The only disadvantage of off-site -- Rise of the Resistance may book up before 9am, which is when off-site can book. Other than that 1 ride, off-site guests can book everything without any real disadvantage. An off-site guest has the same chance to get a G+ for Slinky Dog as an on-site guest.
Given the cost-savings of off-site -- an off-site guest buying Genie+/LL can save tremendous amount of money AND get a superior guest experience over an on-site guest who doesn't purchase G+.

That's the irony, and it works to Disney's disadvantage -- Genie+ allows a guest to SAVE money, as they can stay off-site without any significant disadvantage, beyond possibly not being able to book ROTR.

Maybe?? I do agree to some extent. Offsite though now no longer get the rope drop perk. I'm an offsite guest who always in the past has been able to do rope drop and be one of the first people in the park. We'd get so much done those first two hours, so I'm sad about that. We would just go to parks with NO EMHs. Now though rope drop is just for onsite. I'm not saying they don't deserve that, as they do for paying a premium for onsite. Just saying that I for one will really miss this, but I won't miss it enough to pay onsite prices (budget Orlando traveler who loves the great offsite condo deals available). Will though spend money on LL and Genie + for our one Magic Kingdom day for all who are going there.)

 

[Davey Jones II]

No, they weren't. The person I quoted talked about a tripod (which is usually on the ground, especially if it had a SLR and they said nothing about it being in the air). I don't mind if you want to share your opinion; but, don't actively dismiss my experience when I can literally see the words on the screen.

There were several posts about people putting their phones way up in the air.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Actually, all the recent changes really benefit the off-site guest.
On-site guests no longer get DME -- That doesn't affect off-site guests.
Previously, only on-site guests could get FPs for many e-ticket attractions -- As they had to be booked 60 days in advance, which was on-site only.

The only disadvantage of off-site -- Rise of the Resistance may book up before 9am, which is when off-site can book. Other than that 1 ride, off-site guests can book everything without any real disadvantage. An off-site guest has the same chance to get a G+ for Slinky Dog as an on-site guest.
Given the cost-savings of off-site -- an off-site guest buying Genie+/LL can save tremendous amount of money AND get a superior guest experience over an on-site guest who doesn't purchase G+.

That's the irony, and it works to Disney's disadvantage -- Genie+ allows a guest to SAVE money, as they can stay off-site without any significant disadvantage, beyond possibly not being able to book ROTR.

On-site guests can enter any park half an hour before the off site guests. That's a big advantage.

 

[Dis Dragon]

Just talked to DH... I was wrong about what ride he HAD to do this trip. It's actually Smuggler's Run, which doesn't seem to be quite as popular??

Smugglers run is someone's HAS to do? Can't they play video games at home?

It's all fun and games till you get someone as a pilot that has no idea how to fly the thing and the entire experience is running into the ground...

About the ILL thing, ahead of time I would never buy an ILL - but our last trip I spaced the remy queue and logged on at 7:01 and missed it. Since it was my failure I ponied up the dough for an ILL with the thought that so much money is already spent, I'm not sacrificing the experience. And that's really where they get you, what's an extra $50? That's like one booth stop in Epcot. And to top it off, it was down after we crossed the park...